Ladies&#39; stockings



F. S. COMERMA Jan. 9, 1968 LADIES' STOCKINGS '5 Sheets-Sheet l` A Filed Nov. 14, 1966 INVENTOR.' F12/ma@ SANLLEm COME-RMA ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1968 v F. s. COMERMA 3,362,029

LADIES STOCKINGS Filed Nov. 14, 195e 5 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR.- FRANCISCO SANLLEm Com-:RMA

ATTORNEYS Jan. 9, 1968 F. s. COMERMA 3,362,029

LADIES' sToCKINGs Filed Nov. 14, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 H511, F T10 .2;.2 g -12 INVENTOR.-

FQANGSCO ANLLEHl COMERMA ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,362,029 LADIES STCKINGS Francisco Sanllehi Comerma, Barcelona, Spain, assigner, by mesne assignments, to Stevens Hosiery Division of J. l. Stevens & Co., Inc., Hickory, N.C., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 593,895 Claims priority, application Spain, Feb. 12, 1966, 323,428; May 8, 1966, 326,675; Apr. 7, 1966, 325,813; June 1l, 1966, s2s,2s7

s Claims. (ci. z -24o) This invention relates generally to ladies seamless sheer stockings `and more particularly to stockings which are adapted to completely cover the legs of the wearer and which include support means on the upper ends for encircling the lower trunk portion of the body to maintain the stockings in position. The top of a ladies stocking is normally provided with a turned welt and shadow welt which are adatped to tit around the thigh and above the knee of the wearer and the top of the stocking is supported in this position. In most cases, the welt portion of the stocking is supported by depending garter fasteners which are attached either to a garter belt that is worn around the waist or to fasteners that are attached to the lower portions of a girdle. This conventional method of supporting stockings by depending garter fasteners has several disadvantages. For example, the garter fasteners are connected to the welt at spaced apart points and thereby impart non-uniform upward pulling forces on the top of the stocking. In some cases, so much strain is placed on the fabric in the areas where the garter fasteners are connected that runs develop. Also, the garter fasteners cause objectionable bulges in the clothing, particaularly when wearing close-fitting outer garments. Further, the top of a stocking of conventional length is not positioned high enough on the thigh to prevent exposure of the weltand shadow welt, when wearing the newer style short skirts and dresses.

In an attempt to overcome the problems associated wtih conventional ladies stockings, panty-hose type garments have been developed and are becoming increasingly popular. The panty-hose type garment is formed by longitudinally slitting the inner sides of long stocking blanks and sewing the slit edges of apair of blanks together to forni a panty portion with integral stocking legs depending therefrom. Garter fasteners and supporters are not necessary with this panty-hose garment and it may be worn with short skirts and dresses. Typical examples of panty-hose type garments may be found in the U.S. patents to Goodman No. 2,697,925; Isenhour No. 2,790,315; and Rice No. 2,826,760.

However, the conventional panty-hose type garment has certain disadvantages. For example, if one of the stocking legs develops a run, the complete garment must be discarded. Since the panty portion of the garment is formed by connecting the upper portions of a pair of stocking blanks, the panty portion ts the lower trunk portion very tightly and must be stretched to a considerable degree when worn. When the wearer assumes-a sitting position, additional strain is placed on the portion of the garment extending across the buttocks so that the upper rear portion -of the panty is drawn down. This results is slack fabric and uneven stocking support upon the wearer resuming a standing position. Also the panty portion of the panty-hose is normally made of a heavier yarn and when worn over a conventional panty, as is frequently done, the panty portion slips on the under panty fabric and causes wrinkling and doubling.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide ladies stockings which are adapted to completely cover the legs of the wearer and which are supported in a uniform manner so that they remain in a smooth and unwrinkled condition. The present stockings also include the advantages, but not the disadvantages, of a panty-hose type garment.

It is a further object to provide ladies stockings of the type described which are knit at least partially of stretch yarn so that the upper portions will conform to land remain in position on the thighs and hips of the wearer and so that the stockings may be produced in a small number of sizes, such as three or four, to fit the full range of leg and foot sizes.

More specifically, the present stockings include hip engaging portions extending upwardly from the outside portions of each stocking. The upper terminal edge of each hip engaging extension is connected to the medial portion of a supporting band which is adapted to encircle the lower portion of the truck and around the hips of the wearer. The support band may be easily separated and connected between the stockings, preferably at the front and rear, and provides the only connection between the stockings on each leg. The upper portion of the inside of each stocking is provided with a recess dened by a substantially U-shaped inner edge that extends down along the groin, along one side of the crotch, and up around the buttock, The U-shaped inner edge of each stocking is provided with suitable elastic connected to the supporting band to provide an upwardly supporting force along a caternary line corresponding to the inguinal junction of the leg with the trunk or torso.

Since there is no fabric extending across the abdomen or buttocks, there is no tightness across the buttocks and no loose fabric across the abdomen when the wearer sits. Because the stockings of the present invention are not connected to each other across the abdomen of the wearer or across the buttocks, no stress or strain is placed on the `stockings when the legs of the wearer are bent at the hips, as when assuming a sitting position. The elastic along the inner edge applies an upward supporting force to the inner portion of each stocking and, with the hip engaging extensions and support band, supports the outer portion of each stocking so that each stocking is supported and tensioned in a uniform manner around the entire upper portion and maintained in a smooth wrinkle-free condition upon various movements or changes in position of the wearer.

Since the stockings are easily separable, should a run develop in one stocking it can be disposed of and replaced with one of another pair. The stockings are reversible and may be worn on either leg by everting the stocking normally worn on one leg.

The support band is preferably formed of woven elastic and the elastic at the U-shaped inner edge is preferably in the form of a woven elast-ic tape that is sewn thereto. To enhance the appearance when the stockings are worn on the reverse side, the elastic tape connected to the inner portion of each stocking and the elastic band adapted to encircle the lower trunk of the wearer are preferably each provided with bifurcated side edges which are secured on opposite sides of the corresponding portions of the stockings. With the elastic tapes and bands secured to the stockings in this manner, they will have the same appearance, regardless of which side of the stocking is turned outwardly.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a front perspective View of the stockings of the present invention, illustrating the manner in which they are worn;

FIGURE 2 is a rear perspective view of the stockings shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of one of the stockings shown in FIGURE l and in the position it assumes when worn;

FIGURE 4 is a view of one of the stockings in relaxed and somewhat flattened and folded condition, illustrating the manner in which the elastic tape and elastic band cause the corresponding edges of the stocking material to gather;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the upper end of one of the stockings, illustrating one method of connecting the upper terminal edge to the elastic band, and being taken substantially along the line 5--5 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of that area of the garment enclosed by the dotted rectangle 6 in FIGURE 1 and illustrating one method by which the elastic band and the elastic tape may be connected together;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating one method by which the opposite ends of the elastic band may be connected together at the front and the rear;

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view of a seamless stocking blank supported on a special boarding form and illustrating in dotted lines the portion of the inner side of the stocking blank which is to be cut away and to which the elastic tape is subsequently connected;

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to the upper portion of FIGURE 4 but illustrating a second method of attaching the elastic band and elastic tape to the corersponding portions of the stocking;

FIGURE l0 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 10-10 in FIGURE 9 and illustrating the manner in which the bifurcated lower edge of the elastic band straddles and is sewn to the upper edge of the hip extension;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 11-11 in FIGURE 9 and illustrating the manner in which the bifurcated edge of the elastic tape straddles and is sewn to the inner recess of the stocking; and

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating another method by which the opposite ends of the elastic bands may be connected together.

The ladies seamless sheer stockings of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, include separate stockings S and S which are each adapted to completely cover the legs of the wearer and are provided at their upper ends with means for encircling the lower trunk portion of the body to support the stockings in this position. The stockings S and S' are identical, except that they are opposite hand, and only the stocking S will be described in detail. The same reference characters, with the prime notation added, are applied to corresponding parts of the other stocking S.

The stocking S includes an integrally knit foot 10, leg 11, upper thigh engaging portion 12, and upper hip engaging portion 13. At least the upper portion and preferably the entire stocking is knit of a thermoplastic stretch yarn to provide substantial stretchability. The term stretch is intended to include all types of monoflament and multiiilament yarns capable of providing the desired stretch and shape characteristics to the stocking and causing it to fit smothly and unwrinkled when supported in accordance with this invention.

For example, the stocking may be knit of lively torque yarn which has been twisted to provide suflicient torque to cause distortion of the knit stitches. Yarns having torque in opposite directions are usually knit in alternation to balance the overall torque in the stocking.

The stocking may also be knit of a non-torque or bicomponent type crimped or curled thermoplastic yarn which does not require alternate knitting. The crimp or curl may be imparted to the yarn by yany one of several known methods and the torque may be balanced so that the stocking may be knit at a single feed. The crimp or curl may be set in the yarn by passing it through a heated stuffer box, passing it over a heated blade, passing it between gear teeth, passing it through an air jet, or by other known means.

The stocking may be knit of any type of stitch and on any type of knitting machine. However, it is preferred, for sheerness, that the leg portion 11 and the foot 10 be knit of 15 denier nylon torque yarn forming plain stitches. The heel and toe pockets may be knit by reciprocation with a heavier reinforcing yarn, in the usual manner. "Ille upper thigh engaging portion 12 may be knit of the same yarn as the leg preferably forming a pattern of plain and tuck stitches of the type commonly referred to as micromesh which results in greater fabric width as well as preventing downward runs. The micro-mesh tuck stitch pat tern is continued into the upper` hip engaging portion 13 where a heavier denier reinforcing yarn is preferably added.

While the upper hip engaging portion 13 may be knit in substantially the shape as shown in FIGURE 3, by reciprocation of the needle cylinder, it is preferred that the upper end of the stcoking be initially knit as a cornplete tube and then cut away on the inside. In FIGURE 8, the completed stocking blank is shown in position on a shaped boarding form F, after the toe has been closed in the usual manner. The boarding form F is longer than normal to accommodate the longer than normal length of the stocking blankand it should be Wider than normal at its lower end when the stocking is formed of torque yarns. The dotted line 14 indicates the area of the hip engaging portion 13 which will be cut away to provide an inner recess that is defined by a substantially U-shaped inner edge. The stocking may be pre-boarded, dyed and dried on the boarding form in a continuous process. The stocking is then removed and as it is cut along the dotted line 14, an elastic tape 15 is suitably connected thereto, as by suitable stitching indicated at 16 in FIGURE 6. The elastic tape 15 is preferably woven to stretch in a longitudinal direction and may have a decorative scalloped edge.

The terminal upper edge of the hip engaging portion 13 is connected to the lower edge of the medial portion of an elastic band member 17 by suitable stitching 18. The stitching 18 also serves to connect opposite ends of the elastic tape 15 to the lower edge of the elastic band 17 (FIGURE 6). The elastic band 17 is preferably woven to stretch in a longitudinal direction with an upper decorative scalloped edge and with spaced apart slots or openings 20 formed therein.

Opposite front and rear end portions of the elastic band 17 extend outwardly beyond opposite front and rear edge portions of the hip engaging extension 13 and are adapted to be connected to the corresponding front and rear ends of the elastic band 17 of the stocking S and at the front and rear of the wearer. When the ends of the bands 17, 17 are connected, they provide a support band encircling the body and thereby supporting the stockings around the lower trunk portion of the body. In FIGURE 7, the connecting means is illustrated as a fastener 22 having enlarged opposite ends which are adapted to it into the openings 20 at the ends of the elastic bands 17, 17', after the free end has been turned and sewn to provide a turned hem thereon.

The elastic tape 15 is sewn to the inner edge of the hip engaging portion 13 while it is in stretched condition so that the stocking fabric adjacent thereto is gathered, as illustrated in FIGURE 4, when the stocking is relaxed and not being worn. The medial portion of the elastic band 17 is also stretched as it is sewn to the upper edge of the hip engaging portion 13.

When the stocking S is drawn onto the leg, as illustratcd in FIGURES 1 and 2, the elastic tape 15 is stretched so that the U-shaped inner edge of the hip engaging portion 13 extends downwardly from the elastic band 17 and along a line substantially corresponding to the groin or inguinal juncture of the leg with the trunk or torso, along one side of the crotch, and up across the buttock along the dotted line 22 in FIGURE 2. If desired, the elastic tape 15 may be initially positioned to pass around the buttock, as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 2 and if it is initially positioned to pass across the buttock (as indicated by the dotted line 22), it will usually move over to pass around the buttock when the wearer assumes a seated position.

The elastic tape 15 on the substantially U-shaped inner edge of the hip engaging portion 13 provides an upward pulling force along a substantially catenary line corresponding to the juncture of the leg with the trunk or torso of the wearer and maintains the fabric supported in this position and in an evenly tensioned wrinkle-free manner, regardless of the position of the wearer. It is preferred that the upper terminal edge of the hip engaging portion 13 extend substantially half the distance around the upper leg portion of the stocking so that the supporting force on the stockings is primarily at opposite sides of the wearer. With this type of support, no undue strain is placed on the stockings when the wearer sits down, as is the case with panty-hose type garments, and the elastic tape 15 applies a tensioning force transversely of the relatively narrow hip engaging portion 13 to maintain it in wrinkle-free condition.

The stockings S, S' are made in pairs and opposite hand to fit the respective left and right legs. However, should one stocking of the pair develop a run, it may be discarded and another stocking from another pair may be substituted therefor. A stocking made to be Worn on one leg may be worn on the other leg by everting the stocking so that the recess and hip engaging portions will reverse positions, relative to the foot of the stocking.

A modified form of stocking is shown in FIGURES 9- l2. In this stocking the elastic tape 15a (FIGURE l1) is formed with a bifurcated edge that straddles the substantially U-shaped inner edge of the hip engaging portion 13a. Rows of stitching 16a are formed along the bifurcated edge to secure the tape 15a to the inner recess, the bifurcated edges being shown spread apart in FIG- URE 11 for purposes of clarity. It is also preferred that the outer portions of each bifurcated edge be provided with a strip of frictional material 23 (FIGURE l1), such as foam rubber which may be suitably laminated thereto.

The elastic band 17a (FIGURE 10) is also formed with a bifurcated edge that straddles the upper edge of tht hip engaging portion 13a. Rows of stitching 18a are formed along the bifurcated edge to secure the medial portion of the elastic band 17a to the hip engaging portion 13a and to hold the bifurcated edges together beyond the opposite ends of the elastic tape 15a. Strips of frictional material 24 (FIGURE 10) are also provided on each side of the elastic band 17a.

The bifurcated edges are provided on the elastic tape 15a and the elastic band 17a so that the stockings can be everted to reverse the same without changing the outward apperance of the stockings. The frictional material 1s provided on the elastic tape 15a and elastic band 17a to aid in maintaining the same in position on the body of the wearer.

A modified form of connecting fastener is shown at 25 in FIGURE 12. The fastener 25 is illustrated as a doubleheaded button with one end being smaller than the other so that it can be readily inserted through the slots 20a to connect together the elastic bands 17a, adjacent their corresponding ends.

The hip engaging portions of the stockings may be formed of any desired length but should be of sufficient length that the elastic bands will encircle the body above the hips. The stockings of the present invention are preferably worn beneath the regular underclothing and are not connected thereto in any manner.

The stockings are connected with relatively short sections of the elastic support bands at the front and rear of the body and there is no fabric connection between the stockings, either across the buttocks, in the crotch, or across the abdomen so that the lower trunk portion of the body of the wearer is not restricted, as is the case with panty-hose type garments. Since the length of the body along the outer hip portions remains substantially the same when the wearer moves from a standing to a sitting position, the stockings do not pull the elastic support band down on the body.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, a1- though specific terms are employed, they are -used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A pair of ladies stockings adapted to completely cover the legs of the wearer, each of said stockings including an integrally knit hip engaging portion adapted to extend upwardly to substantially the waist of the wearer, the upper portion of each hip engaging portion having support means and being adapted to be connected together at the front and rear of the wearer, said hip engaging portion having a substantially U-shaped inner edge defining an inner recess adapted to substantially conform to the body of the wearer, elastic means, means joining said elastic means to the U-shaped inner edge of said hip engaging portion and to the support means, said elastic means being adapted to extend from front to rear through the crotch and serving to provide additional support, whereby the stockings are Supported in an evenly tensioned wrinkle-free manner.

2. A pair of ladies stockings adapted to completely cover the legs and the hips of the wearer, each of said stockings comprising (a) integrally knit foot, leg and hip engaging portions, said foot, leg and hip engaging portions being knit of thermoplastic stretch yarn to provide substantial stretchability thereto, said hip engaging portion eX- tending upwardly from said leg portion and having a substantially U-shaped inner edge defining an inner recess,

(b) support means, means connecting said support means to the upper end of said hip engaging portion of each stocking and being adapted to encircle and be supported on the lower trunk portion of the body of the wearer, and

(c) an elastic tape, means joining said support means throughout its length to said U-shaped inner edge and means connecting the opposed ends of said elastic tape to said support means, said elastic tape being adopted to extend down along the groin, through the crotch, and up across the buttocks of the wearer and supporting the stocking in smooth, unwrinkled condition on the leg of the wearer, regardless of the position assumed by the wearer.

3. An article according to claim 2, wherein said support means (b) comprises first and second elastic bands, means connecting said elastic bands along medial portions to the upper ends of said hip engaging portions of respective stockings, and fastener means for connecting together the ends of said first and second elastic bands between said hip engaging portions of each stocking.

4. An article according to claim 3, wherein each of said elastic bands includes spaced slots formed therein, and wherein said fastener means includes a restricted medial portion and enlarged opposite end portions, said enlarged end portions being adapted to penetrate selected slots adjacent Iopposite ends of corresponding elastic bands to removably fasten the same together.

5. An article according to claim 2, wherein the width of the upper end of said hip engaging portion is equal to substantially one-half the distance around the adjacent leg portion.

6. A ladies seamless sheer stretch stocking adapted to completely cover the leg of the wearer and including (a) integrally knit foot, leg and hip engaging portions, said foot, leg and hip engaging portions being knit of thermoplastic stretch yarn to provide substantial stertchability thereto,'said hip engaging portion extending upwardly from said leg portion and having a substantially U-shaped inner edge defining an inner recess, said hip engaging portion having an upper edge portion adapted to be positioned at substantially the waist of the wearer and being of a Width no greater than substantially onehalf the distance around the adjacent leg portion,

(b) an elastic waist band, meansconnecting said elastic waist band along a medial portion to the upper edge portion of said hip engaging portion and having free opposed ends extending outwardly therefrom, the free ends of said waist band being of sufficient length to extend substantially one-half the distance around the body of the wearer, and

(c) an elastic tape, means joining said elastic tape throughout its length to said U-shaped inner edge and means connecting the opposed ends of said elastic tape to said elastic waist band, said elastic tape being adapted to extend down along the groin, through the crotch, and up across the buttocks of the Vwearer and supporting the stocking in smooth, unwrinkled condition on the leg of the wearer, regardless of the position assumed by the wearer.

7. A ladies seamless sheer stretch stocking according to claim 6, wherein said elastic waistband and said elastic tape are each connected to the corresponding portions of said hip engaging portion while in partially tretched condition so that the adjacent stocking fabric is gathered when the stocking is not being worn, and the adjacent stocking fabric will be smooth and unwrinkled when the stocking is being worn with the elastic waist band and elastic tape stretched.

8. A pair of ladies seamless sheer stockings adapted to completely cover the legs of the wearer and being formed at least patrially of stretch yarn, each of said stockings including an integrally knit hip engaging portion adapted to extend upwardly to substantially the waist of the wearer, the upper portion of each hip engaging portion having support means and being adapted to be connected together at the front and rear of the wearer, said hip engaging portion having a substantially U-shaped inner edge defining an inner recess adapted to substantially conform to the body of the wearer, elastic means, means joining said elastic means to the U-shaped inner edge of said hip engaging portion and to the support means, said elastic means being adapted to extend from front to rear through the crotch and serving to provide additional support, whereby the stockings are supported in an evenly tensioned wrinkle-free manner.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,59,877 6/1882 Lightcapp 2-244 357,127 2/1887 Kneip 2-224 364,650 6/1887 Holmes 2-224 455,757 7/ 1891 Lorentz 2-240 593,549 11/ 1897 Cutts 2-224 596,347 12/ 1897 Winter 2--239 1,924,433 8/ 1933 Harpster 2-240 2,697,925 12/1954 Goodman 66-177 2,826,760 3/ 1958 Rice` 2--239 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 457,965 12/1944 Belgium.

855,082 11/1952 Germany.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

I. R. BOLER, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CGRRECTION Patent No. 3,362,029 January 9, 1967 Francisco Sanllehi Comerma It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column l, line 19, for "adatped" read adapted line 36, for "welt" read welt line 39, for "wtih" read with same column l, line 44, for "apair" read a pair H; column 2, line 28, for "caternary" read catenary same line Z8, for "junction" read juncture column 3, line 30, for "corersponding" read corresponding line 64, for "smothly" read smoothly column 5, line 47, for "tht" read the column 6, line 48, for "support means" read elastic tape line 52, for "adopted" read adapted column 7, line 33, for "tretched" read stretched Signed and sealed this 18th day of March 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.PLETCHER,JR. EDWARD J. BRENNER Attestng Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A PAIR OF LADIES'' STOCKINGS ADAPTED TO COMPLETELY COVER THE LEGS OF THE WEARER, EACH OF SAID STOCKINGS INCLUDING AN INTEGRALLY KNIT HIP ENGAGING PORTION ADAPTED TO EXTEND UPWARDLY TO SUBSTANTIALLY THE WAIST OF THE WEARER, THE UPPER PORTION OF EACH HIP ENGAGING PORTION HAVING SUPPORT MEANS AND BEING ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED TOGETHER AT THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE WEARER, SAID HIP ENGAGING PORTION HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED INNER EDGE DEFINING AN INNER RECESS ADAPTED TO SUBSTANTIALLY CONFORM TO THE BODY OF THE WEARER, ELASTIC MEANS, MEANS JOINING SAID ELASTIC MEANS TO THE U-SHAPED INNER EDGE OF SAID HIP ENGAGING PORTION AND TO THE SUPPORT MEANS, SAID ELASTIC MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO EXTEND FROM FRONT TO REAR THROUGH THE CROTCH AND SERVING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, WHEREBY THE STOCKINGS ARE SUPPORTED IN AN EVENLY TENSIONED WRINKLE-FREE MANNER. 